Device for protecting of the hips

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for protection of the hips of the human body comprising a belt part ( 10 ) arranged to surround the human body at least in the area of the hips, which at least partly is made of an elastic material having an inner surface ( 2 ) and an outer surface ( 3 ), and hip protection means ( 4 ). The device is characterised in that the inner surface at least partly comprises friction enhancing means ( 5 ) to ensure that the hip protection means ( 4 ) stay securely in place over the greater trochanters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for protection of the hips ofthe human body comprising a belt part arranged to surround the humanbody at least in the area of the hip, which at least is partly made ofan elastic material having a inner surface and an outer surface, and hipprotection means.

BACKGROUND ART

Protection of the hips has become increasingly important due to the factthat the number of hip fractures as a consequence of falling hasincreased over the years. Osteoporosis is believed to be one of the mainreasons for hip fractures. Even though osteoporosis and hip fracturesmay occur in the entire population, the hip fractures are most common inthe elderly part of the population, where osteoporosis is also mostcommon.

The instant injury, permanent injury and posteffects caused by the hipfractures are also seen to be more serious for the elderly populationdue to the fact that the strength and elasticity of the bones decreasethroughout the years as a result of a reduction of the mineral densityof the bone and weakening of the bone structure.

Furthermore, the flexibility and mobility of persons suffering fromosteoporosis are decreased. In addition, this risk group of persons isoften advised to exercise in order to strengthen the musculature as wellas improve their balance and thereby minimise the risk of falling,whereby the risk of hip fractures is likewise minimised. Therefore,during exercise they need protection of especially the hip, so they donot fear falling during the exercise and therefore refrain from doing itor even injure the hip by falling during the activity.

Another risk group for hip fractures are persons who attendrehabilitation after e.g. an operation, being confined to a bed for along time or a period limited mobility because of any kind of psychicaldamages. This group lacks the ability of moving on their own andtherefore may be exposed to falls during the exercises in therehabilitation center.

A Danish group of researchers has proven that hip protector means withenergy dispersing materials protecting the greater trochanter decreasesthe number of hip fractures compared to persons with no hip protectionby up to 53%. By the diversion of the impact to the surrounding area,the released energy is transferred to the soft tissue and musclessurrounding the greater trochanter and subsequently transferred furtheron to the femoral bone. [“Effect of the external hip protectors on hipfractures”, J. B. Lauritzen, et al, The Lancet Vol 341, Jan. 2, 1993].Energy dispersing hip protector means for protection of the greatertrochanter are for instance known from WO 95/19154.

The most common method to fixate the hip protector means is toincorporate the hip protector means in underpants. By fixation of thehip protector means in underpants it is ensured that the protector meansare centred over the greater trochanter when the pants are positionedcorrectly. Such a garment with hip protector means, which is known fromfor instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,809 and WO 96/20615, can be difficultfor persons of the above mentioned risk groups to put on and take offduring changing of clothes, while going to the toilet or other similaractivities.

A different way of fixing the hip protector means is by sticking the hipprotector means directly to the skin over the greater trochanter, aso-called self-sitting protection. The protectors can be difficult toput on, so that the protectors are placed correctly over the greatertrochanter and so that they will not fall off during an activity weremoisture is generated between the skin and the protectors.

Neither the underpants with hip protectors nor the self-sittingprotection are suitable to use in rehabilitation centres. Bothprotections are difficult to put on and take off due to the fact thatundressing is needed in both incidents. Furthermore, because bothprotections are worn directly on the skin at great number of protectionsas well as washing procedures are needed for hygiene considerations.

Additionally, some users prefer to wear their own underwear and othersdislike the feeling of something being glued to or adhering to theirskin.

By wearing underpants having protection means or self-sitting protectorsan increase of the proportions of the hip is obtained. Due to the factthat this protection is worn beneath clothes and the proportion of thehips is increased, the wearer often feels less attractive, whereforesome persons refrain from wearing the hip protection during publicactivities. In some cases, the person's clothes will no longer fit, whena person begins to wear hip protectors beneath the clothes.

Additionally, when wearing the above mentioned protection during anactivity heat is confined between the body and the protection, and bothkinds of protection are worn beneath some clothing and therefore noteasily detached for temporary cooling. This unpleasant heat generatedduring the activity may refrain persons from wearing the underpants withprotector means or self-sitting hip protector means.

Also in some of the mentioned research studies, compliance has been anissue to some of the participants. Some participants have not wished towear the protector means for different reasons, and the same has beenthe case in the daily life, with some of the potential users in the riskgroups, who have decided not at all to use, or no longer to use hipprotector means.

Some potential users do not consider themselves being so much at riskthat they are willing to wear hip protectors all the time. There is thusa need for hip protectors that they can put on easily when they feelparticular at risk, i.e. during exercise, while cleaning, while walkingthe dog, during other physical activity, at night when going to thebathroom, in the winter when it can be slippery, etc. and take of aseasily afterwards.

For these and other reasons many persons in the risk groups mentionedare choosing not to wear hip protector means of the known types, eventhough they are statistically exposed to hip fractures from falling. Asan example of this, in the research referred to above, the persons whofractured their hips during the trial period for different reasons didnot wear the underpants with hip protector means and therefore-were notprotected, when they fell and fractured their hip.

In general whenever a person of the risk groups mentioned above isactive, there is a need for a hip protection, which protects the humanbody of the wearer sufficiently in the case of e.g. falling.Furthermore, a need for the protection to be easily attached before anactivity and detached after the end of the activity without limiting thewearer during the activity, and which will give the human body the sameprotection as the pants with protection means, so that more persons willprotect themselves when they are most exposed.

There is thus a need for a protection of the hip during an activity ofthe human body, which is easily attached before and detached after theactivity.

Furthermore, there is a need for a protection, which can transport theheat out from the human body produced during such activity.

Additionally, there is a need for a protection, which can be worn duringthe nightly visit to the toilet, e.g. put on before leaving the bedsideand taken off when back in the bed again, so that no removal of tightfitting underpants and therefore the risk of falling during theundressing of the underwear is reduced and the hips can be protected,even during the toilet visit.

There is also a need to offer a hip protector that is aestheticallypleasing, comfortable to wear and suitable to use during activity, thatmay be worn on top of normal clothes. This could contribute toconvincing people in the risk groups that it is acceptable to wear hipprotectors and to show them.

Finally, there is a need for a hip protection that is suitable for usein rehabilitation situations, which is easy to put on, easy to adjust insize, and can be worn by different patients without hygiene issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to overcome wholly or partly theabove disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically,it is an object to provide a device for the protection of the hips of ahuman body in case of falling, which is easily attached before anactivity, and easily detached when the activity is finished, and whichprotection will remain securely in place during the activity and notlimit the activity of the wearer of the hip protection.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice which can remain securely in place during an activity and whichmay provide a secure fixation of the protection means.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice which is easily put on, positioned correctly and fastened by anelderly person.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a protectionof the hip which is easy to produce.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages andfeatures, which will become evident from the below description, areaccomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by adevice for protection of the hips of a human body, in which the innersurface at least partly comprises friction enhancing means to ensurethat the hip protection means stay securely in place over the greatertrochanters.

Hereby, a protection of the hip by means of a device surrounding thewearers hip area with the protection means is obtained, and which devicewill remain in place during an activity and during a potential fall,without, the device limiting the wearer of the hip protector deviceduring the activity. The device is further easily attached before anactivity and likewise easily detached after.

Furthermore, the device may fit a certain range of sizes of the humanbody because of the elasticity of the material or adjustment means, andthe device further fits wearers with different body shapes due to thefact that the device is mainly fastened by friction between the innersurface of the device and the surface of the wearers body or clotheswith the aid of the friction enhancing means.

During use, the friction enhancing means of the inner surface ensuresthat the device, when worn, cannot slide upwards, downwards or sidewaysduring an activity, by which the protection means during the activity iskept in the right position over the greater trochanter.

Advantageously, according to the invention the friction enhancing meansmay comprise a structured surface. The friction between the surface ofthe wearers skin or clothes and the inner surface of the device isenhanced because the surface is barbed by the structure of the surface.It is hereby obtained that the structured inner surface of the devicecan engage with the outer surface of the wearers skin or clothes and bydifferently structured surfaces of the inner surface of the hipprotector device, the hip protector device may fit different kinds ofsurfaces of the wearer, e.g. from the skin to underwear and outdoorclothing.

Expediently according to the invention, the friction enhancing means maybe adapted to increase the friction in the vertical or/and thehorizontal direction of the device, preferably in both directions.

In another preferred embodiment according to the invention thestructured surface may comprise a plurality of substantially lateralcircumferential beads. By these beads it is obtained that the deviceessentially is hindered from moving either upwards or downwards, whenthe wearer of the device is active.

Additionally, the structured surface comprises a plurality of beadssubstantially perpendicularly to the surrounding direction of the deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. By beads in thisdirection it is achieved that the hip protector device is not moved inthe circumferential direction of the wearer when active.

Furthermore, the structured surface may comprise a plurality ofprojections according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. By a plurality of projections it is obtained to enhance thefriction between the inner surface of the device and the wearers surfaceis enhanced, and the projections may be made in different patterns.

According to the present invention the friction enhancing means maycomprise friction enhancing material on the inner surface of the device,such as e.g. textile-based, rubber, silicone, elastane, neoprene or thelike materials. By using friction enhancing material, friction in alldirections is achieved and the friction enhancing means will herebyprevent the device from moving upwards, downwards and sideways.

In another preferred embodiment according to the invention the belt partmay have at least one of the properties breathable, cushioning, moisturetransporting, supporting or isolating. Hereby is obtained that one ormore properties may be built into the device.

Furthermore, in an additional preferred embodiment according to theinvention the belt part may be made of a cushioning, elastic material,such as spacer fabric, laminated textile or foam material, such asneoprene or the like, or a combination thereof. Especially thesematerials have proven expedient to provide a device, wherein one or moreproperties may be incorporated.

Advantageously, in another preferred embodiment according to theinvention the device may comprise locking means, such as loops/hooks,button/buttonholes, hook/eye, press studs or buckles etc. Thepossibility for a person to easily put on or remove the device whilesitting down is hereby achieved, e.g. before activity, rehabilitation,in bed or the like.

In an embodiment of the present invention the protection means may bemade of a rigid, semi-rigid or softer material proven to be able toprevent hip fractures.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the belt partmay comprise receiving means, which have been adapted to keep theprotection means securely in place and which receiving means are eitheropen or closed. By open receiving means it is achieved that the hipprotection means may be removed before washing, if they are of a typethat does not stand the particular washing method. By a incorporatingclosed receiving means, the protection means are always secured in thedevice and cannot be forgotten to be put in the device, e.g afterwashing.

Advantageously, the belt part may comprise protection means forprotection of the coccyx or the lower part of the spine. It is herebyobtained that both the hip, the coccyx and/or the lower part of thespine are protected to some extent by the same device.

Additionally, according to the invention the width of the hip protectordevice in the direction perpendicular to the surrounding direction mayat least correspond to the height of the protection means in the area ofthe hip, so as to keep the protection means securely in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detailbelow with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, which forthe purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and inwhich

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows in perspective the device with a plurality of substantiallylateral circumferential beads on the inner surface of the deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 shows in perspective another embodiment of the inner surface ofthe device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows in perspective the device with both protection of the hipand the coccyx,

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the device as a pull-on device,

FIG. 6 shows the structured inner surface with a plurality ofprojections, and

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the belt part according to oneembodiment of the invention.

All the figures are highly schematical and not necessarily to scale, andthey show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate theinvention, other parts have been omitted or merely suggested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for protection of a hip of the human bodyaccording to the invention, in which a belt part 10 has been arranged tosurround the human body at the height of the hips. The belt part 10 isat least partly made of an elastic material and is further provided withan inner surface 2, an outer surface 3 and hip protection means 4.Furthermore, the inner surface comprises at least partly frictionenhancing means to ensure that the hip protection means 4 stay in place,which is illustrated by a dotted line in FIG. 1. The hip protectionmeans are here shown as implemented in the elastic material of the beltpart 10, but may also be fastened on the outside of the belt part 10 oron the inside of the belt part 10.

Furthermore, the device 1, shown in FIG. 1, have a height a in the areaof the hip which at least is the same height b of the hip protectionmeans. In this embodiment the height a is larger than that of b. Thedevice furthermore comprises an anatomically shaped form, i.e. a cuttingout at the bottom of the device towards the legs of the wearer of thedevice so to allow sitting down comfortably as well as give space to themovement of the legs during activity.

Advantageously, the protection means 4 are made of a rigid, semi rigidor softer material, which has been proven to give adequate protection ofthe hips in case of a fall.

As shown in FIG. 2 the friction enhancing means may according to anaspect of the present invention comprise a structured surface 5, whichmay be in form of a plurality of substantially lateral circumferentialbeads 5. Each bead is mechanically engaging with the surface of thepersons skin or clothes, so as to keep the device and the protectionmeans from moving either upwards, downwards or sideways during activity.Within the inventive idea the inner surface of the device may be ribbed,ridged, corrugated, grooved, wavy or the like, in order to provide thenecessary friction between the wearer and the inner surface of thedevice.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention thestructured surface 2 may comprise a plurality of beads 5 substantiallyperpendicular to the surrounding direction of the device 1 (not shown).These beads 5 ensure that the device 1 and the protection means 4 remainin place in the circumferential direction of the person wearing thedevice 1. In FIG. 3 is shown a check pattern in a further embodiment ofthe present invention so that both direction is incorporated in thefriction enhancing means, whereby the device and the protection means 4remain in the right position given by the person when putting on thedevice 1. The matter is that a securely fixation of the device andthereby of the protection means is obtained.

Furthermore, in FIG. 3 is shown an adjustable closure means, by the beltpart 10 overlaps in the area above the cut area 9. The overlap is shownby the dotted line 11. The adjustable closure means 8 may for instancebe hooks/loops placed adjacent to each other, thereby achieving apossibility for fitting the belt part 10 within a specific range todifferent wearers or different layers of clothes worn by the wearer.

A structured surface, comprising a plurality of substantially lateralcircumferential beads, a plurality of projections or other frictionenhancing structure may all be manufactured in the same process as theelastic material used for the belt part, for instance by knitting. Bythis, it is obtained that at least one process may be avoided incomparison with friction enhancing means, which is made in a subsequenttreatment of the inner surface of the device.

Advantageously, the belt part 10 may further comprise protection means 7for protection of the coccyx of the human body shown by a dotted line inFIG. 4. By which the device 1, besides providing a protection of thehips, also comprises a protection of the coccyx, so as to preventfractures of the human body being caused by falls.

The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are all shown as comprising lockingmeans 8. In FIG. 1 the locking means are shown by a dotted line 8 inorder to indicate locking means such as loops/hooks. In FIG. 2 thelocking means are shown as two press studs 8. In FIG. 3 the lockingmeans are shown by a dotted line, so as to indicate locking means suchan adjustable loops/hooks closure 8. The device may as well be locked bybuttons/buttonholes, hook/eye, buckles or the like. Additionally, thelocking means may be adjustable, so the device may be tightened more orless and adjusted to fit different body sizes within a certain range.When putting the device on a person, the device 1 is opened by unlockingthe locking means 8 and subsequently placing the hip protector devicearound the body, so that the hip protection means 4 are placed over thegreater trochanter, and finally the device 1 is locked by connecting thelocking means 8 arranged on the opposite sides of the ends of an opendevice 1.

In FIG. 5 the device 1 is shown as a closed cylinder, which is put on bypulling it over the head or the feet of the wearer and placed around thebody, with the hip protection means placed over the greater trochanter.The devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may in other embodiments be producedas a closed cylinder instead of a lockable device, in which the frictionenhancing means and the elastic material of the device provide thefixation of the device in the right position over the hip of the humanbody during activity. In spite of the disadvantages in more complicatedmounting, this embodiment may be preferred by some users, as the lack ofclosing means 8 would make the device less bulky.

The structured surface may further advantageously comprise a pluralityof projections 6, as shown by example in FIG. 6. This structure may alsobe combined with the beads 5 mentioned above.

In FIG. 7 is shown a cross sectional view taken through a belt partaccording to the invention. By this embodiment a zig-zag cross sectionalconfiguration is shown which in expedient manner have a high friction.

The friction enhancing means 5, 6 may according to an advantageousaspect of the present invention exist in the form of a frictionenhancing material on the inner surface 2, such as e.g. textile based,rubber, silicone, elastane, neoprene, or the like materials. Accordingto the inventive idea the inner surfaces may in that case either beplane or structured.

Furthermore, according to an additional preferred embodiment the beltpart 10 may have at least one of the properties breathable, cushioning,moisture transporting, supporting or isolating, such as warming orcooling, so that the device 1 is comfortable to wear during a more orless demanding activity.

Advantageously, the belt part 10 is made of a cushioning, elasticmaterial, such as spacer fabric, laminated textile or foam material,such as neoprene or the like or a combination thereof.

Advantageously, the friction enhancing means and/or friction enhancingmaterial may be knitted into a spacer fabric, which comprises severalimportant properties such as elasticity, cushioning, breathable andsupport. Cushioning is especially important between the hip protectionmeans and the wearer, when rigid or semi-rigid hip protection means areused, in order not to discomfort the user or create pressure marks.

According to the present invention the protection means 4 may be centredover the greater trochanter, and a further protection may be centredover the coccyx, which is often also exposed during a fall.

Furthermore the device 1 may have an outer surface 3 with a smoothdesign, to ease the movement of clothes over the device, when the wearerchooses to wear the device underneath some of his or her clothing.

Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention theinner surface comprises material, which is comfortable to wear for theperson. It is hereby obtained that if the wearer chooses to use thedevice directly on the skin the device would be more pleasant to wearagainst the skin.

The device according to the invention is especially expedient when beingused by active elderly persons, persons having osteoporosis or personsattending rehabilitation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the device 1 maycomprise hydrophobic materials. It is hereby achieved that the devicemay be used regardless of the weather.

Finally the invention further relates to a method for producing a deviceas outlined previously by knitting the belt part with integratedfriction enhancing means.

Advantageously, the knitting process may use elastane in some areas andnot in other areas of for instance a spacer fabric, whereby tensiondifferences are obtained throughout the knitted spacer fabric so as azig-zag structure may be achieved.

Although the invention above has been described in connection withpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a personskilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable withoutdeparting from the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A device for protection of the hips of the human body comprising abelt part arranged to surround the human body at least in the area ofthe hips, which at least is partly made of an elastic material having aninner surface and an outer surface, and hip protection means, said innersurface at least partly comprising friction enhancing means.
 2. A deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the friction enhancing means is adaptedto increase the friction in the vertical direction, the horizontaldirection, or a combination thereof, of the device.
 3. A device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the friction enhancing means comprises astructured surface.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein thestructured surface comprises a plurality of substantially lateralcircumferential beads.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein thestructured surface comprises a plurality of projections.
 6. A device asclaimed in claims 1, wherein the friction enhancing means comprisesfriction enhancing material on the inner surface.
 7. A device as claimedin claims 1, wherein the belt part possesses the properties of beingbreathable, cushioning, moisture transporting, supporting, isolating, ora combination thereof.
 8. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein thebelt part is made of an elastic material.
 9. A device as claimed inclaims 1, wherein the device comprises locking means.
 10. A device asclaimed in claims 1, wherein the hip protection means is made of arigid, semi-rigid or soft material.
 11. A device as claimed in claims 1,wherein the belt part comprises receiving means, which is adapted tokeep the hip protection means in place.
 12. A device as claimed inclaims 1, wherein the belt part comprises protection means forprotection of the coccyx, the lower part of the spine, or a combinationthereof.
 13. A method of providing protection to hips, coccyx, lowerpart of the spine, or combination thereof of active elderly persons,persons having osteoporosis, or persons attending rehabilitation byattaching a device as claimed in claim 1 to said active elderly persons,persons having osteoporosis, or persons attending rehabilitation.
 14. Amethod for producing the belt part of the device as claimed in claims 1,comprising the step of knitting the belt part with integrated frictionenhancing means.
 15. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefriction enhancing means ensures that the hip protection means stayssecurely in place over the greater trochanters.
 16. A device as claimedin claim 6, wherein the friction enhancing material is selected from thegroup consisting of textile-based materials, rubber, silicone, elastane,and neoprene.
 17. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elasticmaterial is selected from the group consisting of knitted fabric, spacerfabric, laminated textile, foam material, or a combination thereof. 18.A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic material isneoprene.
 19. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking meansis selected from the group consisting of loops/hooks, button/buttonhole,hook/eye, press studs, and buckles.
 20. A device as claimed in claim 11wherein the receiving means is either open or closed.